DoD Identity and Eligibility Documentation Requirements
Updated June 2020 7
(4) Has the appropriate certificate of authentication by a U.S. Consular Officer in the foreign country of issuance
which attests to the authenticity of the signature and seal
child. A legitimate child, illegitimate child, stepchild, or an adopted child of the sponsor who is younger than 21 years of
age. If 21 or older, the child may remain eligible if he or she is:
21 or 22 years old and enrolled in a full-time course of higher learning;
21 or older but incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity that existed before the 21st
birthday; or
21 or 22 years old and was enrolled full-time in an accredited institution of higher learning but became incapable of
self-support because of a mental or physical condition while a full-time student.
cross-servicing. Agreement amongst all uniformed services to assist Service members, regardless of the Service
member’s responsible uniformed service, and their dependents, for all ID card or benefits-related matters, when
appropriate and not restricted by DoD Manual 1000.13, Volume 1.
DEERS. The personnel data repository of identity and enrollment and eligibility verification data and associated contact
information on members of the DoD Components, members of the uniformed services, and other personnel, as
designated by the DoD and their eligible dependents and associated contact information.
dependent. An individual whose relationship to the sponsor leads to entitlement to benefits and privileges.
financial dependency determination. Service-level process used to determine whether the financial dependency of a
dependent on a sponsor meets the requirement for benefits eligibility.
former member. An individual who is eligible to receive retired pay, at age 60, for non-regular service pursuant to chapter
1223 of Title 10, United States Code, but who has been discharged and who maintains no military affiliation. These
former members, at age 60, and their eligible dependents are entitled to medical care, commissary, exchange, and
morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) privileges. Under age 60, they and their eligible dependents are entitled to
commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges only.
former spouse. An individual who was married to a uniformed services member for at least 20 years, and the member
had at least 20 years of service creditable toward retirement, and the marriage overlapped as follows:
20 years marriage, 20 years creditable service for retirement, and 20 years overlap between the marriage and the
service (referred to as 20/20/20). The benefits eligibility begins on the date of divorce;
20 years marriage, 20 years creditable service for retirement, and 15 years overlap between the marriage and the
service (referred to as 20/20/15). The benefits eligibility begins on the date of divorce; or
A spouse whose marriage was terminated from a uniformed service member who has their eligibility to receive retired
pay terminated as a result of misconduct based on Service-documented abuse of the spouse and has 10 years of
marriage, 20 years of creditable service for retirement, 10 years of overlap between the marriage and the service (referred
to as 10/20/10).
foster child. A child without parental support and protection, placed with a person or family, usually by local welfare
services or by court order. The foster parent(s) does not have custody, nor is there an adoption, but they are expected to
treat the foster child as they would their own in regard to food, housing, clothing, and education. This is a non-medically
entitled dependent.
full-time student. A child who has not attained the age of 23, who is enrolled in a full-time course of study at an institution
of higher learning approved by the administering Secretary and is, or was at the time of the member’s or former member’s
death, dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of his or her support.
incapacitated person. An individual who is impaired by physical disability, mental illness, mental deficiency, or other
causes that prevent sufficient understanding or capacity to competently manage his or her own affairs.
institution of higher learning. A college, university, or similar institution, including a technical or business school, offering
post-secondary-level academic instruction that leads to an associate or higher degree, if the school is empowered by the
appropriate State education authority under State law to grant an associate or higher degree. When there is no State law